"Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden were the headline candidates fueling the coaching market rumor mill throughout the fall.

But Jeff Fisher is the one holding all the cards when it counts.

The former Titans coach is this offseason's power broker while Cowher and Gruden watch from the sideline. Miami already has interviewed Fisher, who was spotted at the Buccaneers team hotel over the weekend. Had Bill Polian survived in Indianapolis, and Jim Caldwell had not, it's a near certainty that Fisher would have been near the top of that list as well. San Diego had also been as likely a landing spot as any until Dean Spanos decided to keep Norv Turner.

But here is all you need to know about Fisher's likely destination: Atop his list of priorities is the presence of a franchise quarterback. Despite the Rams' listless 2011 season, I'm told that's just how he sees Sam Bradford, who Fisher interviewed and liked quite a bit at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine."